The Truth of the Cross

This little book by R.C. Sproul is a book that looks to be a beginner's guide to the cross. It is very short, as it is only 168 pages and the book is only about 5 inches by 3 inches. As I opened the book I expected that this would be something that I would give to someone who is just learning about what the cross did and why it had to happen, or a refresher for those who needed to get "grounded" again. This is exactly what it was. Dr. Sproul does a very good job of quickly yet precisely taking the reader through the necessity of the cross, the cause of the cross, the implications of the cross, and even a little prophetic note of the cross through passages like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.

This book doesn't get too deep but just glances across a wide variety of topics to get the reader acquainted with the reason behind the cross. I believe this is exactly what Dr. Sproul was trying to accomplish, and so he fulfilled his desire with this book. The reader should not expect a deep theological discussion on each topic, but merely an introduction for further study after this book.

The only thing that I feel should have been left out or at least written with more fluidity is the last chapter on limited atonement. It was odd that Dr. Sproul wrote the entire book, focusing primarily on what the Scriptures said about the atonement and it's cause, really drawing no line in the sand on historic theologies. Then, in the last chapter he tries to quickly go through limited atonement and reformed doctrine. It just didn't seem to fit in this book. I believe he could have definitely made it fit if he wanted to give a defense of limited atonement, but he then tried to give a quick history of the TULIP and the like, and it just seemed like too short of a book and the wrong "stage" to try and draw up these arguments. It really stuck out like a sore thumb. Before the last chapter I believe I could have handed the book to any new Christian with no "primer" beforehand. Now, if I give it to a new believer I will have a lot of explaining to do because of the last chapter as it really opens a can of worms that could have been avoided.

Besides that, the book is concise and makes good arguments on the cross in a God honoring way. I would recommend the book to any who need a refresher or just don't understand the meaning or the reason behind the cross. Of course, with a disclaimer on the last chapter. Recommended

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